Los Padres puts fire regulations into effect

restrictions will be rigorously enforced until the end of the declared fire

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Taft Midway Driller - Taft, CA

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Posted May. 18, 2013 at 11:26 AM
Updated May 18, 2013 at 11:32 AM

Posted May 18, 2013 at 11:26 AM
Updated May 18, 2013 at 11:32 AM

Due to extremely dry vegetation and an increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials today announced that Level III fire restrictions went into effect beginning Friday.

The following restrictions will be rigorously enforced until the end of the declared fire season:

•Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest except for designated Campfire Use sites; however persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed to use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel outside of designated Campfire Use Sites. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Los Padres National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf).

•You must clear all flammable material for a distance of five feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use.

•Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the National Forest unless specifically authorized by a special use permit with the Forest.

Hunting with a valid State of California hunting license during open hunting season is exempt from this restriction.

•Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the national forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site.

•Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order on roads and trails specifically designated for such use. (This restriction is in effect year-round.)

For further information regarding current conditions and safety tips, contact your nearest Forest Service office or visit the Los Padres National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf.